Anthony Joshua Faces Backlash Over "Disappointing" Victory Against Jake Paul

Anthony Joshua secured a technical knockout against Jake Paul in Miami on Friday night, but the former two-time world heavyweight champion faced intense scrutiny for what many deemed a lackluster performance. The bout, which ended in the sixth round after Joshua scored four knockdowns, left fans and analysts divided over the 34-year-old's showing against the social media star-turned-boxer.

Controversial Win Sparks Debate

While Joshua ultimately prevailed, his early struggles against the 28-year-old Paul raised eyebrows. Fighting in an oversized ring, the Olympian appeared frustrated as Paul employed unorthodox tactics—including frequent clinches and evasive maneuvers—to survive the opening rounds. Referee Mark Nelson was heard criticizing the action during the fight, stating, "The fans did not pay to see this crap," seemingly directed at Paul's defensive approach.

"It wasn't the best performance," Joshua admitted post-fight. "The end goal was to get him, pin him down, and hurt him. That's what people wanted... It took longer than expected."

Legacy Questions Emerge

Prominent figures in boxing expressed dismay at Joshua's display. Promoter Lou DiBella blasted the Brit on social media, writing: "The guy who should feel ashamed right now is Anthony Joshua... that was his legacy." Sports journalist Kevin Iole suggested Joshua "ought to retire" following what he called an "epically bad performance."

However, former champion Paulie Malignaggi offered a more measured assessment: "Anthony Joshua honestly should have probably cut off the ring a little bit better... But honestly, what do you want the guy to do?"

Financial Incentives vs. Sporting Credibility

The lucrative nature of the crossover bout—reportedly guaranteeing Joshua a nine-figure payday—fueled discussions about boxing's evolving landscape. When asked about legacy concerns, Joshua shrugged: "I don't care about legacy, it lasts about 50 years, then it's done. This is what I decided to do."

Paul, despite suffering a suspected broken jaw, earned respect for his durability. "He tried and tried," Joshua acknowledged, "but he came up against a real fighter in there."

As the boxing world digests this controversial clash, questions linger about Joshua's future trajectory and the sport's increasing embrace of influencer-driven matchups.